Male’ City, Sunday 04th September – The capital city’s council announced its plans to relocate locally famous flea market (“Neelan Fihaara) elsewhere.
While actual reasons have yet to be officiated, council has likely moved forward with the decision to facilitate for the mini-bus service. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is gearing up to launch the bus service within Male’ City, for which several major roads are going through parking space alterations.
The flea market is a hotspot for enthusiastic back and forth bargaining between vendors and purchasers for used good. The market zone has exceeded its legally allocated zone, sprawling used goods on to the adjoined road.
Repeated appeals to the flea market operators have not been honored so far, resulting in council stepping in to clear out the zone. Vendors and sellers resort to placing the items for sale outside the plot due to limited availability.
While the council is preparing for a relocation, the city’s Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu confirmed current location will be utilized by retailers and vendors, provided they trade within the legally allocated plot.
Dr. Muizzu further clarified that trades extending outside of the plot will be barred owing to mounting complaints related to street congestion.
“It’s a nuisance for vehicles since they keep their goods on the pavement and on the street. Once the buses start using the bigger roads, vehicles will be forced into the smaller lanes and it’ll be very congested. That’s why we cleaned the road,” the city’s mayor commented.
Reportedly the council plans to shift the flea market to a plot at the Male’ Industrial Village, situated at the southwest end of the city. As of now, the area has been restricted from general use since it is utilized for Thilamale’ bridge project.